Woman's Club of Kingsville - Founders of The First Public Library in Kingsville

The history of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library in Kingsville is inextricably interwoven with that of the Woman's Club. Both began on February 23,1909, when Mrs. James I. Toner (later Mrs. John D. Finnegan) called together a group of nine women to organize a woman's club with the major objective of establishing a free public library. The first meeting was a "book shower and tea" where 28 books, one dictionary, and $55.00 in cash were donated. On the following morning, the library opened in the Gulf Coast Record Office Building with Mrs.Toner acting as part-time Librarian. [ Library History ]